CIF state volleyball finals: Archbishop Mitty claims its third straight state title

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ORANGE — Archbishop Mitty won its third straight state title and a state-leading 11th overall by defeating South-Torrance 25-12, 25-18, 20-25, 25-19 in the Division II state championship match at Santiago Canyon College on Saturday.

The Monarchs (37-3) utilized a diverse attack, featuring Merin Kolte with 16 kills, Natasha Kosowicz with 14, Julia Chizanskos with 13 and Alexa Dreyer with 10. South (31-10) was led by Karly Eastley with 12 kills and Gina Cortesi with 11.

“We passed the ball well, and every kid made great choices,” Mitty coach Bret Almazan-Cezar said. “Our serve receive was awesome, and that allowed the setters to make great choices.”

The familiar parts of the Mitty formula included great defense and excellent setting. But this year’s team was the first in a decade to run a 6-2 offense, as the Monarchs could roll behind setters Lauren Speckman (21 assists) and Tessie Powers (28 assists) and thus have a three-hitter front row, always including a left-handed hitter. The Monarchs also make few mistakes, highlighted by a sparkling .316 team attack percentage, led by Dreyer at .526, lefty Kolte at .406 and Chizanskos at .370.

“We have some incredible defensive players,” Speckman said. “Our serve receive was incredible. We then figure out who is hitting well and what the block is doing.”

Kolte was on fire in the first set with five kills in seven attacks. Mitty raced to a 7-1 lead, extended it to 14-5 and cruised. Gabriella Carta-Samuels and Kate Formico led a fierce back-row defense, aided by strong blocking up front.

Cortesi led the Spartans back in a more competitive second set. With the tally tied at 15, Mitty ran off a 7-2 spurt to take control.

“Each time, you think you can focus and take away one thing from Mitty, they have two or three other options,” South coach Robert Kutsch said.

South improved its defense in the third set and rallied behind a raucous, large cheering section.

Mitty eliminated mistakes in the fourth set, and the attack focused on the middle, with Dreyer and Latigue dominating. The duo combined for seven kills as the Monarchs pulled ahead. Kosowicz contributed three kills down the stretch and Chizanskos closed the contest with a big block.

“In the early 2000s, we ran the middle,” Almazan-Cezar said. “In ’08 and ’09, it was high-ball mania. Now it’s much more diverse than anything we’ve had. You never know who our kill leader will be. It’s all a puzzle, and they all do their part of the puzzle.”

The 37-3 Irish, in their fifth state match appearance but first since 2009, were led by Kayla Yew with 18 kills and Madison Murtaugh with 10 kills. Alexis Dirige led the Irish defense with 15 digs. The 31-10 Warriors were paced by Heidi Dyer with 8 kills.